Congress manifesto promises separate SGPC for Haryana

The ruling Congress in poll-bound Haryana has promised to take "suitable measures" for setting up a separate SGPC in the state, an issue that has hung fire for the last five years.

"In deference to wishes of Sikh community in Haryana, the report of (H S) Chatha Committee would be examined keeping in view the legal aspects of the issue regarding formation of a separate SGPC in the state and suitable measures would be taken by the Congress party," according to the poll manifesto released by the party in Chandigarh on Wednesday.

"We are having the issue legally examined. I am waiting for the legal opinion after which I will decide accordingly," said Hooda who along with the AICC incharge for Haryana affairs Prithviraj Chavan, released the manifesto.

The move has been vehemently opposed by Amritsar-based Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex religious body of the Sikhs and by the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab.

Both the Amritsar-based SGPC and SAD have dubbed the Congress' move as an alleged attempt to divide and weaken the Sikh community and warned the Hooda government against going ahead on the issue.

Meanwhile, the Congress in its manifesto has also mentioned its "committment to have a separate High Court for Haryana" at Chandigarh.